Deterministic (c, 3, Liam's Map–Giulio's Jewel, by Speightstown), tabbed as a 'TDN Rising Star' in a visually impressive, come-from-behind debut score after a slow start going seven furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 12, fired fresh off the bench to capture Saturday's GIII Gotham S. at a rain-soaked Aqueduct.
Working up a storm for trainer Christophe Clement this winter at Payson Park in Florida, including a five-furlong bullet in 1:01 4/5 (1/8) Feb. 17, Deterministic was well supported at odds of 7-2 here.
The $625,000 KEESEP yearling purchase raced in an inside fifth over the sloppy going as longshot Maximus Meridius (Maximus Mischief) led the way through an opening quarter in :23.42. Ridden along by Joel Rosario in fourth rounding the far turn, narrow GIII Wither S. runner-up El Grande O (Take Charge Indy) began to turn the screws on the pacesetter as favored Just a Touch (Justify) began to wind up with a move of his own on the extreme outside as well.
El Grande O, racing all the way out in about the 10 path, kicked for home and looked well on his way once again. But Deterministic was just finding his best stride, however, and kicked on smartly along the inside down the lane to power clear by two lengths.
Just a Touch, favored at 8-5 off a sharp debut score for Brad Cox in the Fair Grounds slop Jan. 27, leveled off late and was up for second. El Grande O was third. Maximus Meridius tired to fourth.
“He was very impressive,” said Miguel Clement, assistant to his father and winning trainer Christophe Clement. “He confirmed what we believed all along that he's top class. His works have been top class, as well as his win at Saratoga. He validated it all today.”
As for what's next, he continued, “Let's enjoy this for a few days and come up with a plan. I thought he was very impressive today. I don't think the distance is an issue with him whatsoever. We always thought he wanted to go long. The longer, the better.”
Rosario added, “He felt great. He was more in the game today in his second time out and first time going long. He did everything really well and so we're excited for him and where he'll take us.”
The Gotham awards 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-five finishers.
Pedigree Notes:
Deterministic was the second new graded winner on the afternoon for Liam's Map, his 11th graded winner overall and is a 24th worldwide stakes winner. Deterministic's hammer price of $625,000 was the most expensive of the 58 (75 through the ring) of his sire's progeny reported as sold in 2022. Most of the action in Deterministic's pedigree is in the third dam, the stakes-winning Amelia. A half-sister to the talented European sprinter Bertolini (Danzig) and SW Alchemilla (Deputy Minister), she is the dam of seven winners, among them five full black-type scorers, including GSW & GISP Kindergarden Kid (Dynaformer); MGSW & GISP Rainha da Bateria (Broken Vow); Japanese group winners Rabbit Run (Tapit) and Asakusa Genki (Stormy Atlantic); GSW Assateague (Stormy Atlantic); and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up He's Had Enough (Tapit). Amelia's dam Aquilegia (Alydar) was a full-sister to champion Althea. Giulio's Jewel, a half-sister to the GII Lake Placid S. runner-up Duff One (Harlan's Holiday), passed away after foaling a Frosted filly in 2022.
DETERMINISTIC ($9.80), under @JRosarioJockey, pulled away to take the $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct! The Liam's Map (@LanesEndFarms) colt was trained by @clementstable and earned 50 @KentuckyDerby points! Congrats to the connections! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/KDfjvUcNj4
— TVG (@TVG) March 2, 2024
Saturday, Aqueduct
GOTHAM S.-GIII, $300,000, Aqueduct, 3-2, 3yo, 1m, 1:36.37, sy.
1–DETERMINISTIC, 118, c, 3, by Liam's Map
1st Dam: Giulio's Jewel, by Speightstown
2nd Dam: Acadiana, by Tiznow
3rd Dam: Amelia, by Dixieland Band
'TDN Rising Star'. 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES
WIN. ($625,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-St. Elias Stable, Ken
Langone, C. Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable; B-Hinkle
Farms (KY); T-Christophe Clement; J-Joel Rosario. $165,000.
Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $222,750. Werk Nick Rating: A.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Just a Touch, 118, c, 3, Justify–Touching Beauty, by Tapit.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($170,000 RNA
Ylg '22 KEESEP; $125,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $300,000 2yo '23
OBSAPR). O-Qatar Racing, Resolute Racing and Marc
Detampel; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.
$60,000.
3–El Grande O, 119, c, 3, Take Charge Indy–Rainbow's Song,
by Unbridled's Song. O-Barry K. Schwartz; B-Stonewall Farm
(NY); T-Linda Rice. $36,000.
Margins: 2, HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 3.90, 1.70, 5.30.
Also Ran: Maximus Meridius, Capital Idea, Deposition, Lightline, Bergen, Eliminate, Facenda, Air Cav. Scratched: Khanate, Slider.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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